Julie took notice of her sister’s polished appearance. Amanda looked more put together than she did the last time they met. Today, she was wearing a pretty floral print blouse paired with white capri pants and a pair of bright yellow, strappy, patent leather sandals. Sunlight reflected off her gorgeous diamond and lemon quartz drop earrings. Her skin was luminous, and her hair was freshly highlighted with warm blonde pieces.
“Well dear, that is all in the past. However, Amanda you’re looking quite well these days, how are things going at the mall?”
“Actually Julie, I am living at The River House now with the new man in my life— Vince. It seems my former life is being restored to me. I have new car, I get a weekly allowance, and Vince showers me with designer clothes and jewels regularly. Isn’t that fabulous?”
Julie swallowed her tea and started to cough. She accidently spilled some of it on her blouse.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m so clumsy these days. Excuse me sis while I go clean myself off.”
When Julie walked into the ladies room, Amanda picked up her phone and immediately started checking for any communication between her and Andrew Langston. She scrolled down scanning all the names and conversations. There it was— a conversation between her and Andrew from a few months ago. All it said was: FINAL PAYMENT DEPOSITED. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL YOU’VE DONE.
She took a screen shot then texted the message to her phone. In order to not get caught, she deleted the text and the image from Julie’s phone. Amanda saw her sister exiting the bathroom and she immediately put Julie’s phone back, pretending to be writing something in her day planner.
“Did you get the stain out of your blouse?”
“Yes, luckily I carry one of these handy stain pens wherever I go.” She paused for a moment, took a sip of her tea and said, “I’m so glad you reached out to me, Amanda. I was glad to get your message.”
Amanda saw the perfect opportunity to bring up her former lover. “Speaking of Facebook messages, I used your login information to stalk Brandon the other day, and I saw you were friends with Andrew Langston, what is that all about?”
Julie glanced at Amanda with a puzzled look and asked, “Who’s Andrew Langston?”
Right, like she didn’t know who he was. Amanda knew that tone. Clearly her sister was hiding something. Amanda knew there was a puzzle to piece together, but how would she go about solving it? Remembering Alex had mentioned once that Vince used him to look into her past, she wondered if he could help her with this project. If there was a connection between Julie and Andrew she was going to find it. Amanda was just going to have to push through the awkwardness that existed between the two of them and try to regain the friendship she had with Alex.
After her spin class, Amanda sat outside the Bagel Beanery soaking up the warm August sunshine and sipping a passion fruit smoothie. Exercise didn’t manage to take her mind off the Julie and Andrew situation. Vince was in New York and wouldn’t be back until the following evening. She sent a text message to Alex asking him to meet her at the apartment saying she needed to talk to him. He had yet to respond.
A tall woman with blonde hair caught Amanda’s attention as she closed the door of her black Mercedes Benz, which was coincidentally the same make model as Amanda’s. She looked to be in her early thirties and was dressed in her tennis whites that showed off her perfectly tanned skin. Two kids hopped out of the backseat, the girl looked about twelve and the boy about ten. The young girl had the most beautiful green eyes and wavy toffee blonde hair that was pulled up in a tousled ponytail. She was wearing a Ramones t-shirt with a pair of jean shorts that had a rip on the front left leg and black Converse shoes.
The boy, who opened the book he was carrying, had extreme ash blonde hair like his mom and brown eyes. He was wearing a Detroit Tigers t-shirt and black shorts. The mom, or she could be the nanny, or maybe a step-mom, stood holding the door open for the kids. The little boy was walking hesitantly to the door as if he didn’t want to be there.
“Hurry up. Your dad will be here any moment,” she said motioning for the young boy to get inside.
Amanda looked up and saw a silver Mercedes approaching. It slowed down and parked right behind the other Mercedes. Must be the kids’ dad. The driver emerged from the car, and Amanda nearly fell out of her chair—it was Vince! Her heart was pounding. She turned away from the door so he would not notice her sitting there. She slowly turned back around. Through the window she saw the woman greet Vince with a kiss, and he kissed her back. A kiss! Amanda waited for them to approach the counter to order their drinks before going to her car and retrieving a magazine. She slyly walked into the Bagel Beanery and took a seat in a corner booth. She was bound and determined to know what was happening. Was Vince still married? Was he just friendly with his ex? Why would he lie to her about the trip? Amanda’s mind was scattered with questions.
The four of them cozily slid into a booth about three away from where Amanda was sitting. There were only a few patrons in the coffee place, so it was easy to hear the conversation. The kids were excitedly talking about what they had been doing all day, and the woman said she had won both her tennis matches at the club. Vince who was seated on the outside of the table facing Amanda asked the kids what they wanted for supper. They both replied, hamburgers on the grill, and the young girl asked if she could have cheese and pickles on her burger.
The mom laughed and said, “I am sure your dad will make you a burger just to your liking.”
Vince smiled and said, “I sure will.”
The young boy stepped away from his chair and wrapped his arms around Vince’s neck saying happily, “I’m so glad you’re home dad. Can you come to my football game Thursday night?”
“I told you, Logan, that I have to go out of town this weekend, but I will try to make it to the next one buddy.” Vince took his left hand and tapped him on the head, mussing the boy’s hair. That’s when Amanda saw his platinum wedding band. After seeing the ring and listening to the conversation, Amanda could only conclude one thing—Vince was a lying cheater. I’m his mistress!
Chapter Thirty-One:
Ashleigh
“You love me? Ashleigh….I…I’ve wanted to be with you and only you for what feels like an eternity. Please help me to understand, after all this time of telling me you don’t want a relationship, you suddenly have this desire to be involved with me romantically.” Liam was speaking vehemently as he held the card in his hands. He then began wildly waving the card around and shaking his head. Ashleigh had never seen Liam so frenzied.
“Liam please calm down. I’m sorry about this. I guess I got sidetracked when you told me you were dating someone.” She paused taking in a deep breath, “Yes it’s true I love you. I won’t apologize for that. I think I have always known, and I was just being selfish. I didn’t want to give you my heart because that meant that I was opening myself up for the possibility of being hurt.”
Liam stared at Ashleigh, his demeanor became more relaxed and his eyes narrowed. He walked closer to her, clutching her hands in his. It suddenly occurred to Ashleigh that she never actually gave the card to Liam.
“Wait…how did you get the bag?”
Liam explained that he came back into the hotel because he thought he’d misplaced his credit card. The server handed him the bag and said that he found it on the chair, that’s when Liam saw his name on the card and opened it.
“Ashleigh, I have been in love with you from the first moment I saw you, or at least it feels like that for me. My heart has ached everyday, longing to hold only you, kiss only you and love only you. All I have wanted is to give you the world and show you how much I adore you.”
His words were beautiful as they poured from his gorgeous lips. Excited relief washed over her entire body and the mood in the room shifted slightl
y. Ashleigh’s heart was beating rapidly as Liam released her hands. He walked to the bar and poured a glass of scotch. A flash of confusion swept over Ashleigh as she watched Liam slowly sipping the beverage eyeing her intently.
“Liam, I love you. If you love me then we can be together.” Her words were a plea of emotional desperation, “Can’t we? I am sorry it took me so long to realize this.”
Before Liam had a chance to answer, the doorbell rang. Ashleigh turned to open it and this time, it was the champagne.
“Where would you like the champagne, Miss Preston?”
“In the dining room would be wonderful. Thank you very much.”
Closing the door, she turned around to find Liam standing behind her, looking at her, his dark eyes intense. He clenched his jaw and loosened his tie. Ashleigh stood motionless. Is Liam mad? Is he upset it took me this long to realize? His body language was confusing her more by the second.
“Liam please…please talk…”
Suddenly Liam’s lips were fiercely placed upon Ashleigh’s. Their mouths collided passionately— it was reckless, almost savage. Liam’s hand moved up her thigh where the slit of her dress exposed her skin ever so slightly. Ashleigh grabbed Liam’s suit jacket and forcefully pulled it from his body. Their hands roamed over each other’s bodies feverishly as Liam pinned Ashleigh against one of the mirrored panels causing her to release a low moan. She felt a twinge of pain on her back from the edge of the panel grinding into her. Ashleigh was sure there would be a bruise, but she didn’t care. Liam began to move his fingers over Ashleigh’s silk thong, and with one forceful tug they dropped to the floor in a tiny crumpled heap.
Breathless, Ashleigh teased, “I just bought those.” A smile crossed her lips as she moved her hands from his shoulders to his tie, where she began to untie the already loosened double Windsor knot.
He smirked and whispered in her ear, “I’ll buy you a new pair.”
She grasped the back of Liam’s dark hair, tugging and pulling hard as he moved his hands to her waist. Gliding his fingers gently to the back of her gown he slowly moved the zipper down as the fabric fell over her body exposing more of her lightly bronzed skin. Waves of heat crashed over Ashleigh’s body as Liam’s hands skimmed the lace fabric on her bra.
Ashleigh’s mind raced at the sound of Liam’s metal zipper unhinging as he spun her around and pinned her against the wall. She watched Liam in the mirror as he gripped the curve of her hip pushing the dress over the swell of her ass fisting the excess fabric between his hands. She cried out in pleasure as he plunged into her letting out a guttural moan that reverberated through Ashleigh making her thighs quiver. Ashleigh’s knee’s knocked together as he began fucking her with long slow strides, pushing his cock in and out of her with tremendous force. When it was possible, she corrected her stance allowing Liam better access. Watching him thrusting into her, their eyes met, and it was singly one of the most erotic things Ashleigh had ever experienced.
Hot and wet, Ashleigh was already beginning to lose her mind as Liam stroked her faster, each thrust more powerful than the one before. Ashleigh loved every minute of Liam’s heated need to fuck her hard and fast. She wasn’t quite sure if this was an anger bang or an “I’m so happy you finally figured your emotional shit out” quick and dirty fuck. Either way, she didn’t care. It was brutally exciting and reminded her of the first time they’d been intimate together. As proper as they were in public and business settings, there should be no mistake that Ashleigh and Liam were ardent lovers. Liam is a gentleman by all accounts, but even a gentleman takes his lady to pound town every now and again.
She heard Liam gasp when she clenched her walls tightly around him. Widening her stance Ashleigh drew him in deeper watching his eyes grow darker with each vigorous movement.
“Christ… Liam, fuck me harder… please,” Ashleigh begged shamelessly. Moans and garbled curses flowed from her lips echoing around the room.
His fingers flexed and dug into her warm flesh, the pain was stimulating, sending electric sparks to each and every nerve ending in her body. Her heart thumped so wildly she felt in her throat.
“I’m so hard for you baby,” Liam managed to say through panting deep breaths.
Ashleigh’s breathing became ragged, and she licked her bottom lip when Liam buried his face in her neck trailing kisses across her shoulder. Ashleigh’s breasts swelled and her abs tightened at the sensation of Liam pounding into her.
“Liam,” she cried out. “I’m so close.”
“Ashleigh, fuck, you feel so good, so goddamn good,” he snarled.
Ashleigh bent over further at the waist placing her palms flat against the mirrored panels. Liam covered her hand with his giving a few final thrusts to her core driving them both to euphoric release at the same time. The orgasm ripped through Ashleigh, her vision was blurred for a few moments. All she saw was black then white stars in her eyes, as her body went slightly lax beneath him. Liam slipped his arm around Ashleigh’s waist to keep her from falling as he poured his orgasm into her. A few moments later, after they’ve ridden out the wave of ecstasy together, Liam eased out of her causing Ashleigh to whimper at the loss.
Liam gripped Ashleigh’s wrist and spun her around to face him. Lifting her chin with his index finger, their eyes met, and Ashleigh pulled Liam’s hand leading him up the stairwell.
God he looks sexy. Freshly fucked hair—check. His masculine scent on me, everywhere—check. His breathing, low and ragged—double check. Liam smirks at me, and I want to crumble at his feet and give him the best blow job he’s ever experienced. Oh wait, new plan.
“I’m not done with you yet, Mr. Bond,” Ashleigh purred.
Grinning wickedly, Liam clutched his hand in a fist over his chest and let out a low growl. “Oh, we’re definitely doing that again, Mrs. Kensington,” Liam replied. With each step her gown fell from her body over her hips, down her legs and finally onto the marble steps of the staircase. Liam bent down to pick it up for her, always the gentleman.
Looking up at Ashleigh, Liam paused in the middle of the stairwell and reached for her, pulling her mouth to his. “In case there was any doubt, Ashleigh, you should know I’m madly in love with you,” Liam confessed tracing his thumb over her bottom lip.
Her hazel eyes pricked with tears, “I love you, Liam, so much. I’m sorry it took me so long to realize I was in love with you. If I’m being honest— I was terrified to fall in love again, but I realized being closed off was no way to live my life, at least not anymore.”
She leaned into Liam’s strong frame, molding her body to his as their lips met with a deep kiss that left Ashleigh breathless.
“Darling, I promise I will never intentionally hurt you, ever. I promise we’ll have more good times than bad,” his voice was filled with hope. It’s only you Ashleigh. You’re the only woman for me.”
The empty feeling she had was now filled with Liam’s returned love and affection. Ashleigh’s heart swelled. She knew Liam was her destiny—her true love. Ashleigh had intensity with Nick, but not like the chemical connection she did with Liam. With Liam it was different, and the realization of just how much she needed him physically and emotionally had finally sunk in.
As they reached the top of the stairs Ashleigh heard a familiar sound hitting the double-doors off the master suite. The calm tapping of rain against the glass reminded Ashleigh of just how soothing it was being with the man she loved. Liam was the man who released her from her fears, unlocking the chains she had wrapped herself up in all these years. It was Liam who showed Ashleigh it was okay to open up the doors and walk into the rain once again. But now, when she felt sad or anxious, Liam would be her shelter from the storm.
His lips began to softly kiss her neck and her shoulders. Ashleigh started unbuttoning Liam’s shirt, gently brushing her lips against the newly expos
ed area of his chest. Carefully sliding his shirt over his toned arms, she tossed it over the chaise at the end of the bed.
Liam took Ashleigh in his arms kissing her intently. Tingles fluttered up her spine. He gently pushed her onto the bed, and she fell back as the softness of the pillows surrounded her. She exhaled and closed her eyes as Liam lowered his dark head between her thighs.
Okay nix my plan, this is fucking heaven.
Ashleigh awoke the next morning to find it was nearly ten o’clock. Liam was sitting on the terrace reading The Times and sipping tea in a grey pair of pants with a matching vest and white shirt. It was clear he went home to change, but Ashleigh was thankful he came back. The table next to him was filled with pastries and fresh fruit that she couldn’t wait to taste. The evening’s activities had left her ravished, in more than one way.
Ashleigh went to the bathroom, brushed her teeth and combed her hair, pinning it up into a bun. She slipped her silk pajamas off and stepped into the shower. The warm spray washed over her body, and her thoughts returned to the night before. Thinking about how happy she was, a smile crossed her face. Turning off the water Ashleigh reached for her towel and found Liam standing in the doorway.
“Good morning, darling.” He walked towards her and kissed her on the lips.
“Good morning, handsome.” She turned and began to towel off. “Did you sleep well?”
Ashleigh turned back around to find Liam on one knee, holding a Harry Winston box that contained the most brilliant oval diamond ring surrounded by micropave diamonds in a platinum setting. Looking at the diamond Ashleigh observed it had to have been at least 2 carats… it was 2.25 to be precise.
“Ashleigh Marie Preston, my love, I do not want to go on one more day without you. Will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”
Fifteen Weekends Page 17
